Plerixafor kinetics and radiolabelled neutrophils
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigation of the physiological effects of CXCR4 inhibition on the kinetics of radiolabelled neutrophils in man (EPIGRAPH)
IRAS ID
184739
Contact name
Edwin Chilvers
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 28 days
Research summary
Neutrophils, a specific type of white blood cells, play a major role in the mechanism of lung diseases such as acute lung injury and COPD. These common conditions are characterised by persistent inflammation and an increase in circulating pre-activated neutrophils. These neutrophils collect in the blood vessels of the lung and frequently cause extra damage in the already inflamed lung; however very little is known about the mechanisms underlying the capture or release of these cells in the lungs. Plerixafor is a drug that blocks a neutrophil surface receptor protein that has been shown in previous studies in mice to play an important role in the accumulation and release of neutrophils within the blood vessels of the lungs.
We would like to study the effects of Plerixafor administration on the behaviour of the neutrophils in the circulation of healthy volunteers, in particular the effects on their accumulation in the lungs, liver and spleen. To do this we will recruit healthy volunteers who will be given a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection of the drug or a placebo, randomised by the study doctor. Blood will be taken from the volunteer for the isolation of neutrophils followed by radiolabelling, or tagging with radioactive molecules, under sterile conditions. These tagged cells are then re-injected into the volunteer, and one hour following re-injection the volunteer will undergo a SPECT-CT scan to track the movements of the tagged cells in the body. We will also take regular blood samples to determine how long the re-injected cells remain in the circulation. These scans and blood samples will be repeated on day 2 and day 3. These techniques have been used routinely and safely in previous and current studies in our research group, and are also used clinically in patients to locate ‘hidden’ infections.REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EE/0321
Date of REC Opinion
29 Jan 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion